Sentencing

Today was the sentencing and hopefully finale to this mess. It was a "special setting" so ours was the only case the judge was dealing with during the hour. The prosecuting attorney, Jennifer Valencia, did an excellent job of explaining our feelings and how we've been affected by the defendant's actions, because I couldn't make myself say anything and neither could any body else. When she spoke to the judge, it actually brought tears to my eyes because it was so perfect.

The defendant did speak. He apologized for what he did, named my brothers and sisters and I all by name and my mom's brothers and her two cousins, Janice & Jackie, who she was really close with. I still can't decide how I feel about it. I was pleased, I guess, to get an apology at least; but as reality set in I guess I feel like how can I take those words seriously from a person who could do something so horrible? And where was that attitude while he was doing such a thing?

He also apologized to his own family, and got a little emotional while talking about them. He flashed a smile to them on his way in and out of the courtroom. It kind of made me sick. Why couldn't they have been "one big happy family" 8 years ago? Now they care so much about each other; while my family is left with this giant hole?

Judge Barrett talked before delivering the sentence and explained about how these situations make his "heart hurt". He sentenced the defendant to 20 years to life in prison.

Now that it's done, I don't really feel any different than I did before. My heart still aches for my mother. The only thing that's changed is we never have to share the same room with him at a courthouse. Him being in jail doesn't bring her back. I don't feel any better about anything. I guess I expected to feel a little more at peace with things, but I don't. She's still gone.

I appreciate, so much, all the people who worked on this: Jennifer Valencia, Jacey Skinner, Pari Vroman, Detective Chad Reyes and Judge William Barrett.


KSL.com
Man Sentenced to 20 Years to Life for Killing School Teacher

Deseret News
Man Sentenced to 20 Years to Life in Prison for 2008 Murder of Elementary School Teacher

July 7, 2011 - Sentencing Hearing

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 9:30 am before Judge William Barrett in the Third District Court, Salt Lake Department, 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Update on May 16th Scheduling Conference

The defendant had originally plead "not guilty" to the 3 charges against him: aggravated murder, aggravated burglary and aggravated assault. Today he changed his plea to the "aggravated murder" charge to "guilty". Judge Barrett accepted the plea after he outlined the rights the defendant will be giving up and made sure he understood those rights and agreed to give them up. A sentencing hearing will be held on July 7, 2011.

Salt Lake Tribune:
Magna man pleads guilty to 2008 slaying of ex-girlfriend

KSL.com
Man pleads guilty to '08 killing of Magna school teacher

Deseret News:
Man pleads guilty to '08 killing of Magna school teacher

May 16, 2011 - Scheduling Conference

A Scheduling Conference is scheduled for Monday, May 16, 2011 at 9:00 am before Judge William Barrett in the Third District Court, Salt Lake Department, 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah.

May 2, 2011 - Scheduling Conference

The April 18th scheduling conference was moved to May 2, 2011 at 9:00 am before Judge William Barrett in the Third District Court, Salt Lake Department, 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah.

April 18, 2011 - Scheduling Conference

A Scheduling Conference is scheduled for Monday, April 18, 2011 at 9:00 am before Judge William Barrett in the Third District Court, Salt Lake Department, 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Update on March 21st Scheduling Conference

At the scheduling conference in December, I wrote down the next conference date as March 28th. However, when my dad checked the court docket a couple weeks ago, the scheduled date was listed as March 21st.

So on Monday, one of the defense attorneys was there and explained to the judge that he needed some time to obtain a report from a doctor and then review it with the prosecuting attorneys. He asked for a 3 week delay to see if they could come up with a resolution based on similar cases. If a resolution could not be reached they would need to request either a jury trial or a bench trial at the next scheduling conference.

The next scheduling conference is set for April 18, 2011 at 9:00 am before Judge William Barrett.